Both sides of the immigration debate argue outside Supreme Court

Coelis Mendoza, from Ithaca, N.Y., who is opposed to Arizona's immigration law argues with Marietta Barbier Falzgraf of Bethesda, Md., a supporter, outside the Supreme Court on April 25, where the court held a hearing on Arizona's "show me your papers" immigration law.

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Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer speaks to the media after arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Charles Dharapak / AP

Supporters of immigrant rights rally outside the Supreme Court.

Charles Dharapak / AP

Charles Balogh, from Alexandria, Va., demonstrates in front of the Supreme Court as the court holds a hearing on Arizona's "show me your papers" immigration law.

Arizona says it enacted SB 1070 because the federal government has failed to stop an influx of illegal immigrants from Mexico. It says its law doesn’t conflict with federal statute, and in fact does specifically what the federal law is supposed to do.

Implementation of the most controversial sections -- including a requirement that local police check the immigration status of a criminal suspect if they have “reasonable suspicion” that person is in the country illegally -- has been put on hold by lower courts pending action by the Supreme Court.

--NBC News and msnbc.com staff

Paul Clement, the lawyer for Arizona in the immigration law case in front of the Supreme Court, talks to reporters after oral arguments.